Helping oxytocin deliver: considerations in the development of oxytocin-based therapeutics for brain disorders
Open accessAbstract
Concerns regarding a drought in psychopharmacology have risen from many quarters. From one perspective, the wellspring of bedrock medications for anxiety disorders, depression, and schizophrenia was serendipitously discovered over 30 year ago, the swell of pharmaceutical investment in drug discovery has receded, and the pipeline's flow of medications with unique mechanisms of action (i.e., glutamatergic agents, CRF antagonists) has slowed to a trickle. Might oxytocin (OT)-based therapeutics be an oasis? Though a large basic science literature and a slowly increasing number of studies in human diseases support this hope, the bulk of extant OT studies in humans are single-dose studies on normals, and do not directly relate to improvements in human brain-based diseases. Instead, these studies have left us with a field pregnant with therapeutic possibilities, but barren of definitive treatments. In this clinically oriented review, we discuss the extant OT literature with an eye toward helping OT deliver on its promise as a therapeutic agent. To this end, we identify 10 key questions that we believe future OT research should address. From this overview, several conclusions are clear: (1) the OT system represents an extremely promising target for novel CNS drug development; (2) there is a pressing need for rigorous, randomized controlled clinical trials targeting actual patients; and (3) in order to inform the design and execution of these vital trials, we need further translational studies addressing the questions posed in this review. Looking forward, we extend a cautious hope that the next decade of OT research will birth OT-targeted treatments that can truly deliver on this system's therapeutic potential.
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Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
This clinically oriented review argues that oxytocin (OT) is a promising target for CNS drug development, but that most human OT studies are single-dose studies in normals and do not yet establish efficacy in brain disorders. It identifies 10 key questions for future OT therapeutic research and calls for randomized controlled trials in actual patients alongside further translational studies.
Key findings
- OT has been proposed as a potential treatment for addiction, anxiety disorders, autism-spectrum and other developmental disorders, borderline personality disorder, mood disorders, and schizophrenia; as of November 2012, ongoing intranasal OT trials were noted in autism, schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, frontotemporal dementia, major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, borderline personality disorder, and drug dependence.
- Table 1 shows that most patient-targeted OT trials were single-dose; the smaller set of multiple-dose trials/case reports includes schizophrenia studies such as Feifel et al. (2010, 2012a) using 20 IU twice-daily for 1 week then 40 IU twice-daily for 2 weeks, which improved PANSS/CGI at 3 weeks and verbal memory; Pedersen et al. (2011) using 24 IU twice-daily for 2 weeks, which improved PANSS and social cognition; and Modabbernia et al. (2013) using 20 IU twice-daily for 1 week then 40 IU twice-daily for 8 weeks, which improved PANSS total, positive, and negative scales by week 4.
- Dose-related findings are mixed: in schizophrenia, 10 IU decreased facial emotion recognition whereas 20 IU improved emotion recognition in polydipsic relative to non-polydipsic patients (Goldman et al., 2011); in fragile X syndrome, 24 IU but not 48 IU improved eye-gaze frequency, while 48 IU but not 24 IU decreased social-stress-induced salivary cortisol (Hall et al., 2012).
- The review concludes that the OT system is an extremely promising CNS drug target, that rigorous randomized controlled trials targeting actual patients are pressing, and that further translational studies are needed to address the 10 questions posed.
Methods
- Design: clinically oriented narrative review, not a systematic review or meta-analysis; it identifies 10 key questions (Table 2) relevant to developing OT-targeted therapeutics for brain disorders.
- Data/sample: reviews extant preclinical, translational, and human OT literature, including Table 1 of studies using OT in patients with brain-based illness and a November 2012 note on ongoing treatment trials from clinicaltrials.gov.
- Analysis: narrative synthesis of selected literature and clinical trial considerations; no primary data collection or quantitative pooling.
Limitations
- Stated: the review has a necessarily limited scope, constrained to arenas of direct relevance to OT-based therapeutics; readers are referred elsewhere for OT neurophysiology, AVP interaction, OTR genetic variation, and human development.
- Stated: the field lacks definitive patient-targeted trials—most published OT studies are single-dose studies in normals, patient-targeted clinical trials are relatively limited and mostly single-dose, few multi-week trials exist, and no published studies have examined the time course of brain-mediated effects of intranasal OT or their correlation with peripheral OT levels.
- Evident: as a narrative review, it does not report systematic search or selection criteria, and Table 1 includes small samples, case reports, and mixed designs, limiting quantitative synthesis and generalizability.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
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Claims the paper makes
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- Findingnone given
No OT-related genetic syndrome akin to FNDI has yet been characterized in humans.
“As such, although no OT-related genetic syndrome akin to FNDI has yet been characterized in humans, the abovementioned findings raise the interesting question of the possibility of an “OT-deficiency syndrome””
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingnone given
The vast majority of published studies of IN OT-even those done in patient samples-have used only a single-application dosing paradigm.
“The vast majority of published studies of IN OT—even those done in patient samples (Table 1)—have used only a single-application dosing paradigm.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingreasoning
Despite anticipation, few studies have actually delivered OT as a bona-fide therapeutic agent, using chronic daily dosing, targeting core symptoms of specific disease states, and assessing safety, tolerability, and clinical outcomes.
“More precisely, despite an enormous amount of anticipation that OT's effects in preclinical studies can be translated into OT-based treatments for psychiatric disorders, few studies have actually delivered OT as a bona-fide therapeutic agent, using chronic daily dosing, targeting core symptoms of specific disease states, and assessing safety, tolerability, and clinical outcomes.”
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As of November 2012, ongoing treatment trials of intranasal OT exist in autism, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, frontotemporal dementia, major depressive disorder and treatment resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and drug dependence.
“As of November 2012, we note ongoing treatment trials of intranasal (IN) OT in autism, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, frontotemporal dementia, major depressive disorder and treatment resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and drug dependence (i.e., alcohol, marijuana) (www.clinicaltrials.gov).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingreasoning
The suggestion that OT may have therapeutic value in the treatment of a host of brain-based conditions has not for the most part been bolstered by clinical investigations with meaningful therapeutic endpoints.
“Although it has been safely used for decades in obstetrics to induce and augment labor, the suggestion that OT may have therapeutic value in the treatment of a host of brain-based conditions (addiction, anxiety, autism, mood disorders, and schizophrenia) has not for the most part been bolstered by clinical investigations with meaningful therapeutic endpoints.”
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- Findingnone given
The mechanism of action of therapeutic later-onset effects of chronic OT treatment remains unknown.
“the mechanism of action of therapeutic later-onset effects of chronic OT treatment—the mode of treatment most salient to human brain disorders—remains unknown.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingreasoning
We know very little about either the optimal dose or dosing parameters of IN OT for any CNS indication.
“Despite the groundswell of IN OT research, we know very little about either the optimal dose or dosing parameters of IN OT for any CNS indication, and single-dose studies, though informative, speak somewhat peripherally to this important issue.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingreasoning
Very few studies have directly compared the effects of two or more doses, a standard strategy in dose-finding clinical trials.
“Importantly, very few studies have directly compared the effects of two or more doses, a standard strategy in dose-finding clinical trials.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingcitation
At the time of writing, only three published studies have explored exogenous oxytocin's effects in animal models with predictive relevance specifically for schizophrenia.
“For example, despite good evidence from preliminary clinical trials that OT has therapeutic benefit in schizophrenia (MacDonald and Feifel, 2012a), at the time of this writing, only three published studies have explored exogenous OT's effects in animals models with predictive relevance specifically for schizophrenia (Feifel and Reza, 1999; Lee et al., 2005; Feifel et al., 2012b).”
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- cites Lee et al., 2005
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- cites Feifel et al., 2012b
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- Premisecitation
Single-dose effects in normals can in some cases be linked to longer-term benefits in patient populations (e.g., enhancement of emotional processing as a biomarker for antidepressant activity).
“though in some cases single-dose effects in normals can be linked to longer-term benefits in patient populations [i.e., enhancement of emotional processing as a biomarker for antidepressant activity (Harmer et al., 2009a; Tranter et al., 2009)]”
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- cites Tranter et al., 2009
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- Premisecitation
Some acute neural responses (attenuation of amygdala activity) are seen in both patient groups and normals.
“On the other hand, some acute neural responses (attenuation of amygdala activity) are seen in both patient groups (Labuschagne et al., 2010) and normals (Zink and Meyer-Lindenberg, 2012) (Figure 1).”
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- cites Zink and Meyer-Lindenberg, 2012
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- Premisecitation
Variants of 'OT deficient' animals created via genetic alterations of the OT gene or its receptor display a range of behavioral abnormalities.
“Returning to OT, then, variants of “OT deficient” animals have been created via genetic alterations of the OT gene or its receptor (Young et al., 1996; Bernatova et al., 2004; Lee et al., 2008; Nishimori et al., 2008): these animals display a range of behavioral abnormalities.”
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- cites Bernatova et al., 2004
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- cites Lee et al., 2008
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- Premisecitation
Certain genetic variations in aspects of the OT system have been associated with disease states.
“Though many of the studies in this growing literature are in normals, certain genetic variations in aspects of the OT system have been associated with disease states (Kumsta and Heinrichs, 2013).”
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- Premisecitation
In a functional imaging study, OT-mediated alteration in brain activity during the RMET differed significantly between untreated patients with depression and normal subjects.
“For example, in a functional imaging study of the effects of OT on brain activity during the reading the mind in the eyes test (RMET), OT-mediated alteration in brain activity differed significantly between untreated patients with depression and normal subjects (Pincus et al., 2010).”
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- Interpretationreasoning
OT has distinct effects on the brains of males and females.
“Given OT's intimate evolutionary involvement with reproductive function, it should not be surprising to find that is has distinct effects on the brains of males and females.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
OT's effects likely differ between healthy and clinical populations.
“Just as a host of individual differences significantly influence response to OT in normal samples (MacDonald, 2012), so it is likely that OT's effects will differ between healthy and clinical populations.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The large number of extant IN OT studies may not speak directly to key issues relevant to the effects of chronic OT administration.
“Unfortunately for the development of OT-targeted therapeutics, then, the large number of extant IN OT studies may not speak directly to key issues relevant to the effects of chronic OT administration.”
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In psychiatric patients, the short-term effects of some medications are the opposite of their effect when given chronically (e.g., short-term anxiogenesis with SSRIs).
“in psychiatric patients, the short-term effects of some medications are the opposite of their effect when given chronically [i.e., short-term anxiogenesis with SSRIs (Kent et al., 1998)]”
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- Premisecitation
The histological structure for OT neurons is sexually dimorphic.
“Indeed, the histological structure for OT neurons is sexually dimorphic (de Vries, 2008)”
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- Premisecitation
Basic science research supports that there are often significant differences between the effects of acute and chronic administration of OT.
“Specifically in the case of OT, basic science research supports the fact that that there are often significant differences between the effects of acute and chronic administration of OT (Kramer et al., 2003; Bowen et al., 2011; Keebaugh and Young, 2011; Bales and Perkeybile, 2012).”
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- cites Bowen et al., 2011
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- Premisecitation
Sex biases in behavioral responses to OT have been frequently found in animal studies.
“and sex biases in behavioral responses to OT have been frequently found in animal studies (Williams et al., 1994; Cho et al., 1999; Bales and Carter, 2003; Bales et al., 2007a).”
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Internalization has been demonstrated to occur with the OTR.
“Notably, internalization has been demonstrated to occur with the OTR (Gimpl and Fahrenholz, 2001).”
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- Premisecitation
In normals, the single-dose effects of lifesaving psychiatric medications (antipsychotics, SSRIs) are often either negligible or aversive.
“in normals, the single-dose effects of lifesaving psychiatric medications [i.e., antipsychotics, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)] are often either negligible (Harmer et al., 2003; Murphy et al., 2009) or aversive (Belmaker and Wald, 1977; Harmer et al., 2008)”
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- cites Belmaker and Wald, 1977
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- Premisecitation
The small body of research in which chronic IN OT has been given to psychiatrically ill patients indicates that IN OT's antipsychotic and anxiolytic effects may take weeks to emerge to a clinically meaningful degree.
“On this latter point, the small body of research in which chronic IN OT has been given to psychiatrically ill patients indicates that like currently used medications from other classes, IN OTs antipsychotic (Feifel et al., 2010, 2012a; Pedersen et al., 2011; Modabbernia et al., 2013) and anxiolytic (Feifel et al., 2011) effects may take weeks to emerge to a clinically meaningful degree.”
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- cites Pedersen et al., 2011
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- cites Modabbernia et al., 2013
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- Premisecitation
Many other studies in this area have not found an effect of sex.
“Again, these effects are variable: many other studies in this area have not found an effect of sex [see Bartz et al. (2011b), for review].”
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- Study design and conductreasoning
The number of women included in each schizophrenia trial was not sufficient to analyze for a sex-by-drug effect.
“The number of women included in each trial was not sufficient to analyze for a sex-by-drug effect.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
The few chronic-dosing studies cited herein have used a dose range of 24-40 IU BID.
“The few chronic-dosing studies cited herein have used a dose range of 24–40 IU BID (Feifel et al., 2010, 2012a; Pedersen et al., 2011; Modabbernia et al., 2013).”
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- Premisecitation
Animal research indicates a discrepancy between the effects of both dose and single vs. chronic dosing of OT.
“Noteworthy is that animal research indicates a discrepancy between the effects of both dose (Windle et al., 1997; Kramer et al., 2003; Bales et al., 2007b) and single vs. chronic dosing of OT (Bales and Perkeybile, 2012).”
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- Premisecitation
In normal subjects, 24 IU but not 48 IU intranasal oxytocin attenuated exercise-induced increases in salivary cortisol levels.
“A study in normals on the effect of OT on exercise-induced increased in salivary cortisol levels demonstrated that 24 IU but not 48 IU attenuated this effect (Cardoso et al., 2012).”
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- Premisecitation
Estrogen increases OT and OTR production.
“Estrogen increases OT and OTR production (Patisaul et al., 2003; Windle et al., 2006; Choleris et al., 2008)”
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- Premisecitation
Amygdala-prefrontal cortical connectivity-which can be impacted by OT in normal subjects and anxiety patients-may be related in a gender-specific way to the development of anxiety and depressive disorders.
“In addition, amygdala-prefrontal cortical connectivity—which can be impacted by OT in normal subjects (Sripada et al., 2013) and anxiety patients (Labuschagne et al., 2011)—may be related in a gender-specific way to the development of anxiety and depressive disorders (Burghy et al., 2012).”
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A primate study indicated that perhaps due to cross-reactivity with AVP, chronic higher-dose IN OT (200 IU) did not attenuate cortisol (ACTH) responses, whereas a lower-dose (50 IU) did.
“An illuminating primate study in this regard indicated that perhaps due to cross-reactivity with AVP, [which potentiates stress responses (Legros, 2001)], chronic higher-dose IN OT (200 IU) did not attenuate cortisol (ACTH) responses, whereas a lower-dose (50 IU) did (Parker et al., 2005).”
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- Premisecitation
The first study to intimate a sex moderation effect of OT was a randomized, double-blind, within-subjects crossover study of OT (40 IU BID for 3 weeks) in patients with generalized anxiety disorder.
“Though schizophrenia is the clinical disorder with the largest number of separate randomized trials using IN OT, the first study to intimate a sex moderation effect of OT was a randomized, double-blind, within-subjects crossover study of OT (40 IU BID for 3 weeks) in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Feifel et al., 2011).”
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- Premisecitation
Numerous studies note sex-specific associations between genetic variants in the OTR gene and personality characteristics, neural responses to emotionally salient cues, pair-bonding, hypothalamic gray matter volume, and empathy.
“Furthermore, numerous studies in the growing OTR literature note sex-specific associations between genetic variants in the OTR gene and personality characteristics (Stankova et al., 2012), neural responses to emotionally salient cues (Tost et al., 2010), pair-bonding (Walum et al., 2012), hypothalamic gray matter volume (Tost et al., 2010), and empathy (Wu et al., 2012).”
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- Premisecitation
A sex difference in IN OT effects has been demonstrated in some single-dose studies, including studies of OT's effects on the amygdala and interpersonal behavior.
“With regards to clinical studies of the effects of IN OT, a sex difference in its effects has been demonstrated in some single-dose studies (Hurlemann et al., 2010), including studies of OT's effects on the amygdala (Domes et al., 2010; Rupp et al., 2012), and interpersonal behavior (Liu et al., 2012).”
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Several studies in this area have failed to find a sex bias.
“On the other hand, several studies in this area have failed to find a sex bias (Rodrigues et al., 2009; Saphire-Bernstein et al., 2011; Feldman, 2012).”
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The commercial OT-Elisa kit has been validated for linearity, cross reactivity, matrix effects, accuracy, precision, and recovery.
“Most recent studies that measure either plasma or saliva OT levels use a commercial OT-Elisa kit (Assay-Design, MI, USA), which has been validated for linearity, cross reactivity, matrix effects, accuracy, precision, and recovery (Carter et al., 2007)”
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- Premisecitation
There are dynamic fluctuations in oxytocin levels in states like pregnancy, breastfeeding, orgasm, parenting, and certain stressors.
“These data on circadian fluctuations stand apart from studies of dynamic fluctuations in OT levels in states like pregnancy (Kuwabara et al., 1987; Fuchs et al., 1992; Lindow et al., 1996), breastfeeding (Jonas et al., 2009; Grewen et al., 2010), orgasm (Carmichael et al., 1987), parenting (Feldman, 2012), and certain stressors (Nussey et al., 1988; Sanders et al., 1990).”
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In normal men, intravenous oxytocin titrated to a level 10 times higher than physiologically normal baseline levels demonstrated a linear dose-response effect on ACTH and cortisol.
“Another related study in normal men found that IV OT (titrated to a level 10 times higher than physiologically normal baseline levels) demonstrated a linear, dose-response OT effect on ACTH and cortisol (Legros et al., 1984).”
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- Premisecitation
Studies measuring plasma oxytocin have found elevated levels of the peptide lasting more than 1 h after a single intranasal administration.
“studies measuring plasma OT have found elevated levels of the peptide lasting more than 1 h after a single IN administration (Burri et al., 2008; Gossen et al., 2012).”
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There have been controversies regarding the validity and reliability of measurement of oxytocin levels in urine, saliva, and plasma.
“First, we note that there have been controversies regarding the validity and reliability of measurement of OT levels in urine (Anderson, 2006; Young and Anderson, 2010), saliva (Horvat-Gordon et al., 2005), and plasma (Szeto et al., 2011)”
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Oxytocin has a diurnal rhythm of daytime rise and night-time decline in mice and primates.
“Though OT has a diurnal rhythm of daytime rise and night-time decline in mice (Zhang and Cai, 2011) and primates (Amico et al., 1990)”
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- cites Amico et al., 1990
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- Premisenone given
It is currently impossible to distinguish between transnasally absorbed exogenous oxytocin and endogenously secreted oxytocin, so the relative contribution of these two sources to subsequently measured oxytocin levels is unknown.
“Vitally, it is currently impossible to distinguish between transnasally absorbed exogenous OT and endogenously secreted OT, so the relative contribution of these two sources to subsequently measured OT levels is unknown.”
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Oxytocin neurons operate in a feed-forward bursting mechanism, such that exogenous or endogenous oxytocin stimulates further pulsatile oxytocin release.
“OT neurons operate in a feed-forward “bursting” mechanism, such that exogenous or endogenous OT stimulates further pulsatile OT release (Renaud et al., 1984; Rossoni et al., 2008), part of a locally regulated positive-feedback mechanism (Neumann et al., 1996).”
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- Interpretationcitation
Oxytocin's effects may be dose-dependent.
“In light of these findings suggesting that OT's effects may be dose-dependent, more studies are needed in which more than 1 dose—preferably a range of doses—are directly compared.”
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Ongoing release from endogenous oxytocin stores, mediated partially through glutamatergic mechanisms, could contribute to the sustained peripheral blood levels seen in intranasal oxytocin studies.
“This ongoing release from endogenous OT stores, mediated partially through glutamatergic mechanisms (Jourdain et al., 1998; Israel et al., 2003), could certainly contribute to the sustained peripheral blood levels seen in IN OT studies.”
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There is some evidence for a diurnal variation in CSF oxytocin levels.
“CSF levels may differ, as there is some evidence for a diurnal variation in this body space (Amico et al., 1983; Kuboyama et al., 1988).”
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The concordance between oxytocin measured in different body spaces (saliva, plasma, CSF) and central effects is still a matter of active debate.
“the concordance between OT measured in different body spaces (saliva, plasma, CSF) and central effects is still a matter of active debate (Carter et al., 2007; Neumann, 2007).”
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- cites Neumann, 2007
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The bulk of data does not support significant diurnal variations in plasma oxytocin in humans.
“the bulk of data does not support significant diurnal variations in plasma OT in humans (Amico et al., 1983; Kuwabara et al., 1987; Challinor et al., 1994; Kostoglou-Athanassiou et al., 1998; Turner et al., 2002; Graugaard-Jensen et al., 2008)”
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Investigators have studied oxytocin levels and their relationship to aspects of autism, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, social anxiety disorder, and depression.
“Regarding the latter, investigators have studied OT levels and their relationship to aspects of autism (Modahl et al., 1998; Al-Ayadhi, 2005), eating disorders (Hoffman et al., 2012; Lawson et al., 2012), post-traumatic stress disorder (Seng et al., 2013), schizophrenia (Goldman et al., 2008; Keri et al., 2009; Rubin et al., 2011), social anxiety disorder (Hoge et al., 2008, 2012) and depression (”
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In normal subjects, salivary oxytocin levels remained similarly elevated for up to 7 h regardless of whether 16 or 24 IU intranasal oxytocin was received.
“Finally, a recent study documented that salivary OT levels in normal subjects remained similarly elevated for up to 7 h, regardless of which of 2 doses of IN OT patients received (16 or 24 IU) (van Ijzendoorn et al., 2012).”
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Animal studies have demonstrated some concordance between intraneuronal levels of oxytocin and peripheral oxytocin levels.
“though animal studies have demonstrated some concordance between intraneuronal levels of OT and peripheral OT levels (Wotjak et al., 1998; Cushing and Carter, 2000; Wigger and Neumann, 2002)”
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Data on fluctuations in plasma oxytocin levels across the menstrual cycle are mixed, with studies showing both variation and lack of variation in normally cycling women.
“Adding complexity is that data on fluctuations in plasma OT levels across the menstrual cycle are mixed, with studies in different healthy and clinical populations showing both variation (Shukovski et al., 1989; Salonia et al., 2005; Liedman et al., 2008) and lack of variation (Stock et al., 1991; Kostoglou-Athanassiou et al., 1998; Light et al., 2005) in normally cycling women, with both estrogen”
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- cites Salonia et al., 2005
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- cites Liedman et al., 2008
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- Premisecitation
Several human studies show concordance between peripheral oxytocin levels and naturalistic, centrally mediated behaviors such as parenting and breastfeeding.
“and though several human studies show concordance between peripheral OT levels and naturalistic, centrally mediated behaviors (i.e., parenting, breastfeeding) (Feldman, 2012; Weisman et al., 2012b; for review)”
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- cites Weisman et al., 2012b
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- Premisecitation
The plasma half-life of intravenous oxytocin is less than 10 min.
“Specifically, whereas the plasma half-life of IV OT is less than 10 min (Mens et al., 1983), it lasts much longer in the CSF, and studies measuring plasma OT have found elevated levels of the peptide lasting more than 1 h after a single IN administration (Burri et al., 2008; Gossen et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Mens et al., 1983
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- Interpretationcitation
The plasma half-life heuristic is likely not applicable to the CNS effects of oxytocin, particularly intranasal oxytocin, given its putative direct access to the brain via this route of administration.
“However, this heuristic is likely not applicable to the CNS effects of OT, particularly OT delivered IN, given its putative direct access to the brain via this route of administration (Born et al., 2002).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Born et al., 2002
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- Interpretationcitation
Intranasal oxytocin may elevate peripheral oxytocin levels by entering the brain and stimulating oxytocin neurons to secrete endogenous oxytocin from central stores into the peripheral circulation.
“it is thought that IN OT may also elevate peripheral OT levels by entering the brain and stimulating OT neurons to secrete endogenous OT from central stores into the peripheral circulation (Neumann et al., 1996) (Figure 1).”
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- Premisecitation
Neuropeptides like oxytocin lack many drug-like properties, especially as regards CNS indications.
“Specifically, neuropeptides like OT lack many “drug-like” properties, especially as regards CNS indications.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Manning et al., 2012
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- cites McGonigle, 2012
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- Premisecitation
Synthetic oxytocin has poor penetration of the blood-brain barrier.
“As mentioned above, a prominent pharmacokinetic issue with synthetic OT involves getting this relatively large, hydrophilic molecule into the brain, given its poor penetration of the blood-brain barrier (McEwen, 2004).”
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- Premisecitation
Alternative drug delivery systems (patches, microspheres, liposomes) can improve the pharmacokinetic profile of peptides.
“Besides biochemical modifications of the molecules themselves, alternative drug delivery systems (i.e., patches, microspheres, liposomes) can also improve the pharmacokinetic profile of peptides and represent another approach to addressing the challenges of therapeutic modulation of endogenous peptide systems (Patil and Sawant, 2008; Manning et al., 2012; McGonigle, 2012).”
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- cites Manning et al., 2012
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- cites McGonigle, 2012
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- Premisecitation
Intranasal delivery increased both CSF levels and plasma levels of vasopressin.
“These studies found that IN delivery increased both CSF levels and plasma levels of AVP (Riekkinen et al., 1987; Born et al., 2002).”
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- cites Born et al., 2002
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- Premisecitation
A mucoadhesive buccal oxytocin patch delivered oxytocin continuously over 3 h in animals.
“As an example, a mucoadhesive buccal OT patch has been tested in animals and was able to deliver OT continuously over 3 h (Li et al., 1997).”
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- Premisecitation
The strategy of designing small non-peptidergic molecules that bind a specific peptide receptor has been much more successful in producing antagonists than agonists.
“In general this strategy has been much more successful in producing antagonists than agonists (Manning et al., 2012).”
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- Premisecitation
Direct-to-the-brain delivery of intranasal oxytocin was extrapolated from studies with oxytocin's sister nanopeptide vasopressin, which differs from oxytocin by the substitution of two amino acids.
“In point of fact, direct-to-the-brain delivery of IN OT was extrapolated from studies with OT's sister nanopeptide vasopressin, which differs from OT by the substitution of two amino acids (Riekkinen et al., 1987; Born et al., 2002).”
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- cites Born et al., 2002
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- Premisecitation
Buspirone, MDMA, and clozaril have been proposed to exert some of their pharmacological activity via stimulation of the central oxytocin system.
“Drugs like the serotonin 1a agonist buspirone (Bagdy and Kalogeras, 1993; Jorgensen et al., 2003b), 3,4 methlyenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy (Thompson et al., 2007; Dumont et al., 2009; Broadbear et al., 2011), and the uniquely effective antipsychotic clozaril (MacDonald and Feifel, 2012a), have been proposed to exert some of their pharmacological activity via stimulation of the central”
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- cites Jorgensen et al., 2003b
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- cites Thompson et al., 2007
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- Premisecitation
Peripheral carbetocin failed to produce antipsychotic-like effects on prepulse inhibition.
“In another experiment, peripheral carbetocin failed to produce antipsychotic-like effects on PPI (Feifel et al., 2012b).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Feifel et al., 2012b
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- Premisenone given
Most studies of intranasal oxytocin in humans examine its effects at a single time point, typically 30-60 min after administration.
“In fact, most studies of IN OT in humans examine its effects at a single time point, typically 30–60 min after administration.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Oxytocin agonists, not antagonists, have promise as treatments for several psychiatric disorders.
“However, the corpus of preclinical and translation research with OT suggests that it is OT agonists, not antagonists, that have promise as treatments for several psychiatric disorders.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Several low-molecular weight non-peptidergic oxytocin agonists have been developed that penetrate the brain after peripheral administration.
“With regards to OT, several low-molecular weight non-peptidergic OT agonists have been developed that penetrate the brain after peripheral administration (Pitt et al., 2004; Ring et al., 2010).”
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- cites Ring et al., 2010
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Oxytocin's effects vary significantly based on context.
“and the growing understanding that OT's effects vary significantly based on context (Bartz et al., 2011b)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bartz et al., 2011b
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- Premisecitation
Oxytocin's benefits in schizophrenia have all been when it is given in conjunction with established antipsychotics.
“we note that OT's benefits in schizophrenia have all been when it is given in conjunction with established antipsychotics (i.e., a pharmacological “augmentation” strategy) (Feifel et al., 2010, 2012a; Pedersen et al., 2011; Modabbernia et al., 2013)”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Feifel et al., 2010
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- cites Feifel et al., 2012a
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- cites Pedersen et al., 2011
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- Premisecitation
Intracerebroventricular delivery of both oxytocin and vasopressin reduced some autism-like difficulties via the AVPV1a receptor.
“This latter experiment indicated that ICV delivery of both OT and AVP reduced some of these autism-like difficulties via the AVPV1a receptor (Sala et al., 2013).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Sala et al., 2013
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- Interpretationnone given
Oxytocin-mediated activation of AVP receptors may have four potential consequences on oxytocin's behavioral effects: potentiation, mediation, attenuation, or no impact.
“With regard to any putative therapeutic effect of OT, OT-mediated activation of AVP receptors may have four potential consequences on OT's behavioral effects: potentiation, mediation, attenuation, or no impact.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
Some of oxytocin's analgesic activity in mice is related to AVPV1a, as demonstrated by oxytocin's lack of analgesic activity in AVPR1a knockout mice and the ability of an AVPR1a receptor antagonist to block the effect.
“A second, related experiment found that some of OTs analgesic activity in mice is related to AVPV1a, as demonstrated by OT's lack of analgesic activity in AVPR1a knockout mice and the ability of an AVPR1a receptor antagonist to block the effect (Schorscher-Petcu et al., 2010).”
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- Premisecitation
Four G-protein-coupled receptors have been identified that bind oxytocin and vasopressin in both humans and rodents: AVPR1a, AVPR1b, AVPR2, and OTR.
“In terms of receptors, 4 G-protein-coupled receptors have been identified that bind these peptides in both humans and rodents: AVPR1a, AVPR1b, AVPR2, and OTR (Gimpl and Fahrenholz, 2001; Grimmelikhuijzen and Hauser, 2012).”
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- cites Grimmelikhuijzen and Hauser, 2012
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- Premisecitation
Oxytocin and vasopressin differ by only 2 amino acids.
“Pivotally, though they have evolved to serve very different functions, these two neuropeptides differ by only 2 amino acids (Gimpl and Fahrenholz, 2001).”
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- Premisecitation
A study concluded that Devunetide (an 8-amino acid peptide) administered intranasally to rats entered the brain via the peripheral blood system.
“Indeed, at least one study examining this issue concluded that Devunetide (an 8-amino acid peptide) administered IN to rats entered the brain via the peripheral blood system (Morimoto et al., 2009).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Morimoto et al., 2009
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- Premisecitation
Recent studies in primates found that intranasal oxytocin doubles CSF oxytocin levels within 35 min.
“support for the direct-to-brain notion comes from recent studies in primates that found that IN OT doubles CSF OT levels within 35 min (Chang et al., 2012), strong evidence of central penetration, given that extant evidence supports that endogenous OT in the CSF derives from central not peripheral sources (McEwen, 2004).”
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- cites McEwen, 2004
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- Premisecitation
Some of oxytocin's activities, including both its putative central therapeutic effects and some of its potential side effects such as hyponatremia, may be mediated by binding to AVP receptors.
“Notwithstanding this larger framework, evidence also exists suggesting some of OTs activities, including both its putative central therapeutic effects (Schorscher-Petcu et al., 2010; Sala et al., 2011), as well as some of its potential side effects [i.e., hyponatremia (Seifer et al., 1985; Stratton et al., 1995)] may be mediated by binding to AVP receptors (Liggins, 1963; Li et al., 2008).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Schorscher-Petcu et al., 2010
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- cites Sala et al., 2011
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- cites Seifer et al., 1985
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- Premisecitation
Population-level genetic studies of oxytocin and AVPR1a receptors in humans indicate that both systems appear to be responsible for important behavioral phenotypes in humans.
“Also important is that population-level genetic studies of OT and AVPR1a receptors in humans indicate that both systems appear to be responsible for important behavioral phenotypes in humans (Prichard et al., 2007; Walum et al., 2008, 2012; Levin et al., 2009; Meyer-Lindenberg et al., 2009; Kumsta and Heinrichs, 2013).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Prichard et al., 2007
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- cites Walum et al., 2008
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- cites Levin et al., 2009
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- Interpretationcitation
Synthesis of small-molecule radioligands for the oxytocin receptor would greatly aid our understanding of the functional role of the oxytocin system in human brain disorders and treatment.
“synthesis of small-molecule radioligands for the OTR (Smith et al., 2012), would greatly aid our understanding of the functional role of the OT system in human brain disorders and treatment.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Smith et al., 2012
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- Premisenone given
There are only a few published small, multi-week clinical trials of oxytocin.
“The fact that there are only a few published small, multi-week clinical trials of OT is problematic.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
The last decade of translational and clinical research has provided a great deal of reason to be cautiously optimistic that oxytocin-based treatments may be developed to help ease the dearth in novel treatments for psychiatric illness.
“First, the last decade of translational and clinical research has provided a great deal of reason to be cautiously optimistic that OT-based treatments may be developed to help ease the dearth in novel treatments for psychiatric illness.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Premisecitation
In animal species, oxytocin receptor distribution is a significant determinant of behavior.
“in animal species, OTR distribution is a significant determinant of behavior (Hammock and Young, 2006; Ross et al., 2009; Ophir et al., 2012)”
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- cites Ross et al., 2009
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- cites Ophir et al., 2012
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- Interpretationreasoning
Little effort has been specifically directed to address the translational questions delineated above.
“In light of these facts, and in light of the prodigious amount of animal and human OT research, it is surprising how little effort has been specifically directed to address the translational questions delineated above.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
A wide variety of biomarkers relevant to oxytocin are in different stages of utilization and development, including laboratory markers, electrophysiological markers, brain imaging techniques, and behavioral measures.
“In this field, specifically, a wide variety of biomarkers relevant to OT are in different stages of utilization and development, including laboratory markers (serum markers, genetic tests), electrophysiological markers (EEG, MEG, facial EMG, GSR), brain imaging techniques (fMRI, PET), and behavioral measures (challenge tests, cue exposure tasks, PPI, fear-potentiated startle) (Wiedemann, 2011).”
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- Premisecitation
There is good evidence from preliminary clinical trials that oxytocin has therapeutic benefit in schizophrenia.
“For example, despite good evidence from preliminary clinical trials that OT has therapeutic benefit in schizophrenia (MacDonald and Feifel, 2012a), at the time of this writing, only three published studies have explored exogenous OT's effects in animals models with predictive relevance specifically for schizophrenia (Feifel and Reza, 1999; Lee et al., 2005; Feifel et al., 2012b).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites MacDonald and Feifel, 2012a
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- Interpretationreasoning
Oxytocin will not be developed into a drug for any psychiatric indication with one, two, or even three investigator-initiated clinical trials.
“However, OT will not be developed into a drug for any psychiatric indication with one, two, or even three investigator-initiated clinical trials.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim- Rests on an assumption: Initial investigator-initiated clinical trials often produce negative or weak therapeutic effects.
- Premisecitation
There is reasonably good evidence from animal and human preclinical trials that oxytocin may have therapeutic benefit in at least three brain-based conditions: schizophrenia, anxiety, and autism.
“As one can see in the abovementioned review, there is currently reasonably good evidence from animal and human preclinical trials that OT may have therapeutic benefit in at least three brain-based conditions: schizophrenia, anxiety, and autism.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Premisecitation
The extant oxytocin literature contains several promising biomarker candidates: heart-rate variability, skin conductance, stressed cortisol responses, facial affect recognition, pupil responses, EEG measures, MEG, and a variety of functional imaging parameters.
“the extant OT literature contains several promising candidates: heart-rate variability (HRV) (Kemp et al., 2012), skin conductance (GSR) (de Oliveira et al., 2012b), stressed cortisol responses (Ditzen et al., 2009; Quirin et al., 2011; Simeon et al., 2011; Cardoso et al., 2012; Linnen et al., 2012), facial affect recognition (Fu et al., 2007, 2008; Harmer et al., 2009a,b), pupil responses (Leknes”
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- cites de Oliveira et al., 2012b
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- cites Ditzen et al., 2009
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Oxytocin receptor density appears to vary dynamically during phases of life.
“OTR density appears to vary dynamically during phases of life (Bale et al., 2001; Meddle et al., 2007).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Bale et al., 2001
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- May combine two claims. 46
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 23
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Findingnone givenTo date, there have been a relatively limited number of patient-targeted clinical OT trials, with the majority being single-dose.
“To date, however, there have been a relatively limited number of patient-targeted clinical OT trials, with the majority being single-dose (Table 1).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataUnpublished data from our group found that patients with depression had an anxiogenic response to single-dose IN OT given in a psychotherapy context, in contrast to acute anxiolytic effects reported in normals.
“A second, unpublished set of data from our group found that patients with depression had an anxiogenic response to single-dose IN OT given in a psychotherapy context, in contrast to acute anxiolytic effects reported in normals (Heinrichs et al., 2003; de Oliveira et al., 2012a,b).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Heinrichs et al., 2003
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- cites de Oliveira et al., 2012a
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- cites de Oliveira et al., 2012b
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Findingnone givenThe vast majority of published OT studies are single-dose studies in normals.
“as mentioned, the vast majority of published OT studies are single-dose studies in normals”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
Findingnone givenThe bulk of extant OT studies in humans are single-dose studies on normals and do not directly relate to improvements in human brain-based diseases.
“the bulk of extant OT studies in humans are single-dose studies on normals, and do not directly relate to improvements in human brain-based diseases.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
FindingcitationSeveral potentially seminal clinical studies of oxytocin appear to be underway in several top target disorders.
“In this regard it is noteworthy that—after a long period of gestation—the water seems to have broken on research directly testing OT's clinical promise: several potentially seminal clinical studies of OT appear be underway in several top “target” disorders (www.clinicaltrials.gov).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites www.clinicaltrials.gov
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PremisecitationBartz et al. demonstrated that many patients with borderline personality disorder have divergent responses to OT than those seen in normals, with OT decreasing trust and cooperation.
“Additionally, Bartz et al. has demonstrated that many patients with borderline personality disorder have divergent responses to OT that those seen in normals, with OT-decreasing trust and cooperation (Bartz et al., 2011a).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Bartz et al., 2011a
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PremisecitationMore than 60 clinically relevant genetic variants of the AVP prohormone have been identified.
“Currently, more than 60 clinically relevant genetic variants of the AVP prohormone have been identified (Christensen et al., 2013).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Christensen et al., 2013
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PremisecitationAcute and chronic effects of medications are often diametrically opposite, as seen with SSRIs, which are first-line chronic treatment for anxiety disorders yet can cause anxiety after a single dose.
“Furthermore, as intimated above, the acute and chronic effects of medications are often diametrically opposite, as seen in the case of SSRIs, which are a first-line chronic treatment for anxiety disorders, yet can cause anxiety after a single-dose (Spigset, 1999; Birkett et al., 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Spigset, 1999
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- cites Birkett et al., 2011
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PremisecitationPatients with FNDI present clinically with symptoms of progressive functional AVP deficiency, including polyuria and polydipsia.
“Given endogenous AVPs role in natriuresis, these patients present clinically with symptoms of progressive functional AVP deficiency, including polyuria, and polydipsia (Robertson, 1995).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Robertson, 1995
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InterpretationreasoningWe should be circumspect when extrapolating too directly from single-dose studies in normals to the effects of chronic dosing in psychiatrically ill samples.
“we should be circumspect when extrapolating too directly from these studies to the effects of chronic dosing in psychiatrically ill samples.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationTestosterone promotes hypothalamic OTR-binding as well as production of AVP, which has many opponent actions to OT.
“whereas testosterone promotes hypothalamic OTR-binding (Johnson et al., 1991) as well as production of AVP (Delville et al., 1996), which has many opponent actions to OT (Neumann and Landgraf, 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Johnson et al., 1991
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- cites Delville et al., 1996
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- cites Neumann and Landgraf, 2012
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PremisecitationLargely due to prior precedent (vs. pharmacological rationale), the majority of published human studies have tested OT in single doses in the 20-40 IU range, though doses as low as 10 IU and as high as 160 IU daily have been reported.
“Largely due to prior precedent (vs. pharmacological rationale), the majority of published human studies have tested OT in single doses in the 20–40 IU range (MacDonald et al., 2011a), though doses as low at 10 IU (Goldman et al., 2011) and as high as 160 IU daily (Epperson et al., 1996a,b) have been reported.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites MacDonald et al., 2011a
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- cites Goldman et al., 2011
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- cites Epperson et al., 1996a
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InterpretationreasoningSingle-dose studies, though informative, speak somewhat peripherally to the issue of optimal dose/dosing parameters.
“and single-dose studies, though informative, speak somewhat peripherally to this important issue.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningDelineation of the role of sex and sex hormones in the response to chronic OT treatment will be critical.
“En toto, the abovementioned sex differences indicate that delineation of the role of sex and sex hormones in the response to chronic OT treatment will be critical.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationThis trial demonstrated a trend-level dose-by-gender effect such that males treated with OT showed a significant clinical improvement in HAM-A scores with OT, whereas females did not.
“This trial demonstrated a trend-level dose-by-gender effect such that males treated with OT showed a significant clinical improvement in HAM-A scores with OT, whereas females did not.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Feifel et al., 2011
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PremisecitationMen and women show differences in plasma OT levels, as well as sex-specific behavioral correlations with OT.
“men and women show differences in plasma OT levels (Ozsoy et al., 2009; Gordon et al., 2010; Holt-Lunstad et al., 2011; Weisman et al., 2012c), as well as sex-specific behavioral correlations with OT (Gordon et al., 2010; Zhong et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Ozsoy et al., 2009
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- cites Gordon et al., 2010
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- cites Holt-Lunstad et al., 2011
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PremisecitationIn men with fragile X syndrome, 24 IU but not 48 IU intranasal oxytocin improved eye gaze frequency, whereas 48 IU but not 24 IU decreased social-stress induced salivary cortisol levels.
“In a study of men with fragile X syndrome, 24 IU but not 48 IU IN OT improved eye gaze frequency, whereas 48 IU but not 24 IU decreased social-stress induced salivary cortisol levels (Hall et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hall et al., 2012
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PremisecitationOT has some cross-affinity with AVP receptors which mediate its potential diuretic and natriuretic effects, and these have been noted in a single case report of high-dose IN OT.
“Aside from optimizing therapeutic effect, dosing issues are also important in terms of side effects, given that OT has some cross-affinity with AVP receptors which mediate its potential diuretic and natriuretic effects (Gimpl and Fahrenholz, 2001), and have been noted in a single case report of high-dose IN OT (Ansseau et al., 1987).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Gimpl and Fahrenholz, 2001
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- cites Ansseau et al., 1987
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PremisecitationIn patients with schizophrenia, 10 IU intranasal oxytocin caused a decrement in ability to identify facial emotions, whereas 20 IU improved emotion recognition in polydipsic relative to non-polydipsic patients.
“Goldman et al. demonstrated that in patients with schizophrenia, 10 IU caused a decrement in ability to identify facial emotions (due to increased false-response rate), whereas 20 IU improved emotion recognition in polydipsic relative to non-polydipsic patients (Goldman et al., 2011).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Goldman et al., 2011
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PremisecitationThe three published clinical trials in schizophrenia included a disproportionate number of males (62 males treated vs. 13 females), consistent with most clinical trials of this disorder.
“Focusing on the few multi-week clinical trials of OT in psychiatric populations, the three published clinical trials in schizophrenia included a disproportionate number of males (62 males treated vs. 13 females), consistent with most clinical trials of this disorder (Feifel et al., 2010, 2012a; Pedersen et al., 2011; Modabbernia et al., 2013).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Feifel et al., 2010
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- cites Pedersen et al., 2011
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- cites Modabbernia et al., 2013
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PremisecitationAcross a broad range of studies, these techniques have produced congruent results, with most finding reasonable correlations between saliva and plasma oxytocin levels, and between oxytocin levels and a wide range of oxytocin-dependent biological processes.
“these techniques have produced congruent results, with most of them finding reasonable correlations between saliva and plasma OT levels (Grewen et al., 2010; Feldman et al., 2011; Hoffman et al., 2012), and between OT levels and a wide range of OT-dependent biological processes (White-Traut et al., 2009; Grewen et al., 2010; Feldman, 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Grewen et al., 2010
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- cites Feldman et al., 2011
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- cites Hoffman et al., 2012
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PremisecitationIntranasal oxytocin quickly elevates peripheral oxytocin levels, and these levels remain above baseline for some time.
“which indicate that IN OT quickly elevates peripheral OT levels, and that, these levels remain above baseline for some time.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Huffmeijer et al., 2012
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- cites Weisman et al., 2012a
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- cites Burri et al., 2008
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Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationA recent report questioned the accuracy of radioimmunoassays and enzyme immunoassays and the necessity of sample extraction, which can change measured oxytocin levels by up to 100-fold.
“Notably, a recent report questioned both (1) the accuracy of both radioimmunoassays (RIA) and enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) and (2) the necessity of the technical step of sample extraction which can changes by up to 100-fold the measured levels of the peptide (Szeto et al., 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Szeto et al., 2011
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PremisecitationA direct-to-the-brain path of entry after intranasal delivery of peptides and other drugs has been proposed via two possible mechanisms: intraneuronal active uptake along the olfactory or trigeminal nerve, and extraneuronal passive diffusion into the CSF through perineural clefts in the nasal epithelium.
“Beyond this, a direct-to-the-brain path of entry after IN delivery of peptides and other drugs has been proposed via two possible mechanisms (Figure 1): (1) intraneuronal active uptake along the olfactory or trigeminal nerve into the brain; and (2) extraneuronal passive diffusion into the CSF through perineural clefts in the nasal epithelium which provide a gap in BBB (Illum, 2004; Thorne et al.,”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Illum, 2004
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- cites Thorne et al., 2004
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- cites Renner et al., 2012a
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PremisecitationWAY-277464 exhibited an oxytocin-like anxiolytic behavioral and physiological profile and an oxytocin-like preclinical antipsychotic profile, but did not have an oxytocin-like antidepressant profile in animal tests.
“Though it exhibited an OT-like anxiolytic behavioral and physiological profile in several animal tests (four-plate test, elevated zero maze, stress-induced hyperthermia), and also an OT-like preclinical antipsychotic profile [reversing amphetamine- and MK-801-induced disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI)], it did not have an OT-like antidepressant profile [no reduced immobility in the tail”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Ring et al., 2010
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PremisecitationCarbetocin has about 10-fold lower affinity for the oxytocin receptor than oxytocin and lacks anxiolytic efficacy when delivered peripherally, unlike oxytocin.
“Though a potent uterotonic agent, carbetocin has about 10-fold lower affinity for the OTR than OT (Engstrom et al., 1998; Gimpl et al., 2005), and has been shown to lack anxiolytic efficacy (elevated plus maze) when delivered peripherally, vs. OT, which has anxiolytic efficacy when delivered peripherally (McCarthy et al., 1996; Ring et al., 2006).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Engstrom et al., 1998
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- cites Gimpl et al., 2005
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- cites McCarthy et al., 1996
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Premisenone givenTo date, there have been no published studies examining the time course of the brain-mediated effects of intranasal oxytocin, nor of their correlation with peripheral oxytocin levels.
“to date, there have been no published studies examining the time course of the brain-mediated effects of IN OT, nor of their correlation with peripheral OT levels.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationDrugs delivered intranasally may reach the brain via active transport or diffusion from the blood compartment across the blood-CSF or blood-brain barrier.
“In this way, IN delivery simulates IV delivery: drugs delivered IN may reach the brain via active transport or diffusion from the blood compartment across the blood-CSF or blood-brain barrier (Thorne and Frey, 2001; Morimoto et al., 2009).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Thorne and Frey, 2001
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- cites Morimoto et al., 2009
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PremisecitationIntranasal application of peptidergic drugs to the CNS has been proven since 1989 and is a delivery system increasingly utilized for a variety of drugs for a range of putative central indications.
“IN application of peptidergic drugs to the CNS has been proven since 1989 (Frey, 1991), and is a delivery system increasingly utilized for a variety of drugs for a range of putative central indications, including memory (Benedict et al., 2007) and multiple sclerosis (Ross et al., 2004).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Frey, 1991
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- cites Benedict et al., 2007
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- cites Ross et al., 2004
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PremisecitationThere are several other ways to impact the central oxytocin system, including inhibition of the non-specific enzyme that degrades oxytocin in the CSF (P-LAP) and the use of drugs that may stimulate oxytocin release from endogenous stores via serotonergic and melanocortin receptors.
“These include inhibition of the non-specific enzyme that degrades OT in the CSF [aminopeptidase placental-leucineaminopeptidase (P-LAP) (Chai et al., 2008; Albiston et al., 2011)] and the use of drugs that may stimulate OT release from endogenous stores via the serotonergic (Jorgensen et al., 2003a) and melanocortin receptors (Sabatier, 2006) found on OT neurons.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Chai et al., 2008
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- cites Albiston et al., 2011
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- cites Jorgensen et al., 2003a
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PremisecitationA selective oxytocin receptor antagonist failed to block WAY-277464's antidepressant effects, indicating its effect may be mediated through a different receptor system.
“was that a selective OTR antagonist failed to block these antidepressant effects, indicating WAY-27744's effect may be mediated through a different receptor system (i.e., AVPR: also infra vida section “Is Intranasal Delivery of Oxytocin the Optimal Route?”) (Ring et al., 2010)”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Ring et al., 2010
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PremisecitationCarbetocin is an uterotonic oxytocin analog with a peripheral half-life of 85-100 min, significantly longer than oxytocin's.
“This process has produced carbetocin: an uterotonic OT analog with a peripheral half-life of 85–100 min, significantly longer than OT's (Hunter et al., 1992).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Hunter et al., 1992
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PremisecitationIntranasal delivery capitalizes on the heavily vascularized nasal mucosa, which drains into the peripheral circulation, circumventing first pass metabolism.
“Delivering a peptide IN capitalizes first on the heavily vascularized nasal mucosa, which drains through both fenestrated epithelium and via several facial veins (facial and sphenopalatine), into the peripheral circulation, circumventing first pass metabolism (Zhu et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Zhu et al., 2012
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PremisecitationWAY-277464 is the only non-peptide oxytocin agonist with experimental evidence for an oxytocin-like behavioral profile; it had 87% of the binding affinity of oxytocin and significantly greater selectivity for the oxytocin receptor.
“The only non-peptide OT agonist with experimental evidence for an OT-like behavioral profile is WAY-277464, which had 87% of the binding affinity of OT and significant greater selectivity for the OTR (Ring et al., 2010).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Ring et al., 2010
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PremisecitationNeuropeptides have a brief plasma half-life, poor oral bioavailability due to degradation by plasma and gastric proteases, and limited penetrance of the blood-brain barrier due to their large size and hydrophilic nature.
“These shortcomings include a brief plasma half-life and poor oral bioavailability due to their degradation by plasma and gastric proteases, as well as limited penetrance of the blood-brain barrier due to their large size and hydrophilic nature (McGonigle, 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites McGonigle, 2012
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PremisecitationNeuropeptides have advantages over other chemical medicinal classes (evolved specificity, limited drug-drug interactions, little accumulation in tissues, few side-effects) but also carry unique liabilities as medications related to their molecular nature.
“Though they have certain advantages over other chemical medicinal classes (i.e., evolved specificity for unique functions and receptors, limited drug–drug interactions, little accumulation in tissues, few side-effects), neuropeptides also carry unique liabilities as medications related to their molecular nature (Manning et al., 2012; McGonigle, 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Manning et al., 2012
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- cites McGonigle, 2012
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PremisecitationCarbetocin demonstrated an antidepressant-like profile in the forced swim test when administered peripherally and centrally, and has short-term anxiolytic effects when delivered centrally.
“Interestingly, carbetocin did demonstrate an antidepressant-like profile in the forced swim test when administered peripherally and centrally (Chaviaras et al., 2010), and does have short-term anxiolytic effects when delivered centrally (Mak et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Chaviaras et al., 2010
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- cites Mak et al., 2012
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PremisecitationOxytocin is relatively selective, binding to AVP receptors with ~1% the affinity it binds to oxytocin receptors, whereas vasopressin is non-selective, binding with similar affinity to both oxytocin and AVP receptors.
“Pertaining to OT-directed therapeutics, it is important to note that OT is relatively selective, binding to AVP receptors with ~1% the affinity it binds to OTRs, whereas AVP is non-selective, binding with similar affinity to both OTR and AVPRs (Lowbridge et al., 1977; Mouillac et al., 1995; Manning et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Lowbridge et al., 1977
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- cites Mouillac et al., 1995
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- cites Manning et al., 2012
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InterpretationcitationAn oxytocin receptor agonist with no cross-affinity for AVPR1a would be expected to have superior anxiolytic efficacy, and a compound that acted as a dual oxytocin receptor agonist/AVPR1a antagonist might have even greater efficacy.
“Based on this, an OTR agonist with no cross-affinity for AVPR1a would be expected to have superior anxiolytic efficacy and a compound that acted as a dual OTR agonist/AVPR1a antagonist might have even greater efficacy.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationAVPR1a is the most abundantly expressed in the brain, whereas AVPR1b has more limited brain expression and AVPR2 exists almost exclusively in the periphery.
“Of these receptors, AVPR1a is the most abundantly expressed in the brain, whereas AVPR1b has more limited brain expression and AVPR2 exists almost exclusively in the periphery (Stoop, 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Stoop, 2012
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PremisecitationA recent animal study revealed that AVP1a activation via desmopressin produced an anxiogenic effect, and blockade via atosiban produced an anxiolytic effect.
“Highlighting this issue, a recent animal study revealed that AVP1a activation (via desmopressin, an AVP receptor agonist) and blockade (via atosiban, an OT/AVP1a receptor antagonist) produced anxiogenic and anxiolytic effect, respectively (Mak et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Mak et al., 2012
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PremisecitationOxytocin enhances neurogenesis, the beneficial effects of social support, social salience, and social memory.
“Evidence that OT enhances neurogenesis (Leuner et al., 2012), the beneficial effects of social support (Heinrichs et al., 2003), social salience and social memory (Hurlemann et al., 2010; Guastella and MacLeod, 2012) also suggest that OT is a good candidate for such “augmentation” trials.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Leuner et al., 2012
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- cites Heinrichs et al., 2003
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- cites Hurlemann et al., 2010
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PremisecitationA number of specific agonists and antagonists for each of the four different nonapeptide receptors have been developed and have allowed more precise delineation of the role of the different receptors in the activities of each of these nonapeptides.
“A number of specific agonists and antagonists for each of the four different nonapeptide receptors have been developed (Manning et al., 2012), and have allowed more precise delineation of the role of the different receptors in the activities of each of these nonapeptides.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Manning et al., 2012
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PremisecitationDifferences in receptor co-expression and region-specific density influence the different roles of oxytocin and vasopressin in the CNS, and many models suggest these related peptides have somewhat opposing roles in terms of anxiety and behavioral measures of coping.
“it appears that differences in receptor co-expression and region-specific density—parameters which vary meaningfully in rodents (see Veinante and Freund-Mercier, 1995; Huber et al., 2005; Young et al., 2006; Raggenbass, 2008), and humans (Loup et al., 1991)—influence the different roles of these two nonapeptides in the CNS, and many models suggest these related peptides have somewhat opposing”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Veinante and Freund-Mercier, 1995
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- cites Huber et al., 2005
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- cites Young et al., 2006
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InterpretationcitationIncreased central levels of oxytocin after intranasal administration can occur indirectly via elevated levels of oxytocin in the peripheral circulation, so the evidence does not represent definitive evidence of a direct nose-to-brain mechanism, nor whether intranasal oxytocin has advantages over peripheral or oral oxytocin in terms of brain penetration or reduced peripheral side effects.
“On the other hand, increased central levels of OT after IN administration can occur indirectly via elevated levels of OT in the peripheral circulation, thus the evidence described above does not represent definitive evidence of a direct nose-to-brain mechanism, nor whether IN-administered OT has advantages over peripheral or even orally administered OT in terms of brain penetration or reduced”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationOxytocin (but not vasopressin) normalizes deficits in oxytocin and CD38 knockout mice, whereas both oxytocin and vasopressin normalize defects in oxytocin-receptor knockout mice, which demonstrate an autism-like profile.
“Specifically, whereas OT (but not AVP) normalizes deficits in OT and CD38 knockout mice (Ferguson et al., 2000; Jin et al., 2007), both OT and AVP normalize defects in OT-receptor knockout mice, which demonstrate an autism-like profile (deficits in social behavior, seizures) (Sala et al., 2013).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Ferguson et al., 2000
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- cites Jin et al., 2007
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- cites Sala et al., 2013
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PremisecitationBoth vasopressin and oxytocin administered intranasally have central effects.
“Indirect support for this hypothesis comes from findings that both vasopressin and OT administered IN have central effects [Fehm et al. (2000) and references therein].”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Fehm et al., 2000
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PremisecitationA very recent human trial of the vasopressin V1b receptor antagonist SSR149415 showed negligible anxiolytic effects and antidepressant effects that warrant further study.
“Also worth mention here is a very recent human trial of the vasopressin V1b receptor antagonist SSR149415, which showed negligible anxiolytic effects, and antidepressant effects that warrant further study (Griebel et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Griebel et al., 2012
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Premisenone givenAnimal studies have the ability to efficiently deliver clinically relevant information without the expense, time, and risk-considerations inherent in human trials.
“Animal studies have the ability to efficiently deliver clinically relevant information without the expense, time, and risk-considerations inherent in human trials.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.
PremisecitationProperties of an optimal pharmacological biomarker include high sensitivity and specificity for clinical outcomes; relatively inexpensive and low-risk; interpretable by clinicians in many different practice locations; a dose-response relationship; and a plausible link with pharmacology and pathogenesis.
“Properties of an optimal pharmacological biomarker include: high sensitivity and specificity for clinical outcomes; relatively inexpensive, and low-risk; interpretable by clinicians in many different practice locations; a dose-response relationship; and a plausible link with pharmacology and pathogenesis (Dumont et al., 2005; Wiedemann, 2011; Baskaran et al., 2012; Leuchter et al., 2012).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked- cites Dumont et al., 2005
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- cites Wiedemann, 2011
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- cites Baskaran et al., 2012
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Premisenone givenPreclinical human studies in which acute effects of drugs like oxytocin are examined on symptom proxies are much easier, less expensive, and less risky than classic randomized clinical trials.
“Similarly, preclinical human studies in which acute effects of drugs, like OT, are examined on symptom proxies such as functional imaging changes in clinically relevant circuits or laboratory analogs of pathological conditions (e.g., CCK-induced panic) are much easier, less expensive, and less risky than classic randomized clinical trials.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningBiomarker-guided clinical trials may optimize the efficiency of future clinical trials, facilitating the optimal use of a shrinking pool of funding for oxytocin research.
“Vitally, biomarker-guided clinical trials may optimize the efficiency of future clinical trials, facilitating the optimal use of a shrinking pool of funding for OT research (driven in part by OT's lack of patent exclusivity).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationSome single-dose studies add to the body of support for therapeutic effects, while others reveal a more complex role for oxytocin in human behavior, emotion, and cognition.
“Some of these add to the body of support for therapeutic effects, while others do the opposite, revealing a more complex role for OT in human behavior, emotion, and cognition (De Dreu et al., 2010, 2011).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites De Dreu et al., 2010
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- cites De Dreu et al., 2011
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InterpretationreasoningClinical trials using oxytocin can reciprocally provide useful information to evaluate the predictive validity of various animal models and proxy-symptom human paradigms.
“As mentioned above, the third element in the bench-to-beside arc are clinical trials using OT, which can reciprocally provide useful information to evaluate the predictive validity of various animal models and proxy-symptom human paradigms.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationCurrent studies of oxytocin's augmentation effect in patients have been limited to one single-dose study and have demonstrated limited success on primary clinical endpoints.
“Current studies of OT's “augmentation” effect in patients have been limited to one single-dose study and have demonstrated limited success on primary clinical endpoints (Guastella et al., 2009).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Guastella et al., 2009
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PremisecitationSome investigators suggest that it is premature to speculate about oxytocin's therapeutic potential for neuropsychiatric disorders and opine that before clinical trials, the field needs more translational studies to elucidate oxytocin's complex role.
“These complexity-revealing findings in particular have spurred some investigators to suggest that it is premature to speculate about OT's therapeutic potential for neuropsychiatric disorders and opine that before we do clinical trials, the field needs more translational studies to elucidate OT's complex role (e.g., Grillon et al., 2012; Miller, 2013).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Grillon et al., 2012
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- cites Miller, 2013
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InterpretationreasoningSuch studies will help address the vital questions delineated in this paper.
“Such studies will help address the vital questions we have delineated in this paper.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningAdditional preclinical studies will not, by themselves, answer the critical therapeutic questions that face clinicians in the field.
“For the myriad reasons discussed above, we believe that additional preclinical studies will not—by themselves—answer the critical therapeutic questions that face clinicians in the field.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The predictive validity of both forms of preclinical drug research with regard to psychiatric disorders is far from perfect.
- Rests on an assumption: Examples abound in which efficacy or deleterious effects noted in clinical trials were not manifested in preclinical studies and vice versa.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).
InterpretationreasoningAnimal studies showing tolerance of clinically relevant preclinical effects after a certain duration of treatment may prompt longer-duration trials to evaluate this effect in humans.
“Likewise, animal studies showing tolerance of clinically relevant preclinical effects after a certain duration of treatment may prompt longer-duration trials to evaluate this effect in humans.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationreasoningPreclinical studies demonstrating dichotomous dose-dependent effects on clinically relevant measures may prompt research emphasis on wider dose ranging in phase-II studies of oxytocin.
“For example, preclinical studies demonstrating dichotomous dose-dependent effects on clinically relevant measures may prompt research emphasis on wider dose ranging in phase-II studies of OT.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationBiomarkers optimize the efficiency of clinical drug studies by facilitating the detection of early signals of drug response.
“In drug development, biomarkers optimize the efficiency of clinical drug studies by facilitating the detection of early signals of drug response (Wiedemann, 2011).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Wiedemann, 2011
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Premisenone givenMore single-dose studies-overwhelmingly in normal subjects-continue to be generated.
“More single-dose studies—overwhelmingly in normal subjects—continue to be generated.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).
InterpretationreasoningKnowledge derived from both animal and human translational approaches will increase the likelihood of success of critical clinical trials.
“Knowledge derived from both of these approaches will increase the likelihood of success of critical clinical trials.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
InterpretationreasoningEvidence of adverse effect in animals emerging at certain doses or durations may prompt incorporation of specific safety monitoring features into oxytocin clinical trials.
“Similarly, evidence of adverse effect in animals emerging at certain doses or durations may prompt incorporation of specific safety monitoring features into OT clinical trials.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimMay combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningThe translation of oxytocin's therapeutic promise has been remarkably slow, considering clinical studies with oxytocin are not hindered by the typical limitations imposed by non-approved investigational drugs.
“Secondly, and somewhat in contrast, the translation of OT's therapeutic promise has been remarkably slow, considering clinical studies with OT are not hindered by the typical limitations imposed by non-approved investigational drugs (i.e., costly animal and human safety and toxicity testing before testing in proof-of-concept human trials).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
The authors state this as an assumption.
Certain individuals (and perhaps certain diagnostic groups) have an as-yet undocumented state of more significant functional OT deficiency akin to central diabetes insipidus.
“In addition to these known variations in the OT system, one could assume that certain individuals (and perhaps certain diagnostic groups) have an as-yet undocumented state of more significant functional OT deficiency akin to that found in central diabetes insipidus (DI).”
The paper relies on this without support.
Almost all treatments for the most debilitating brain disorders are delivered chronically, with most achieving their maximal clinical effects after weeks of daily administration.
“In stark contrast, almost all treatments for the most debilitating brain disorders are delivered chronically, with most achieving their maximal clinical effects after weeks of daily administration.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Oxytocin lasts much longer in the CSF than in plasma.
“it lasts much longer in the CSF”
The paper relies on this without support.
There is very little known regarding the optimal therapeutic-dosing frequency of oxytocin.
“there is very little known regarding its optimal therapeutic-dosing frequency (e.g., once daily, twice daily, etc.)”
The paper relies on this without support.
The efficacy of alternative oxytocin delivery systems on centrally mediated processes has not yet been tested in human or animal studies.
“Notably, the efficacy of this or other alternative OT delivery systems on centrally mediated processes has not yet been tested in human or animal studies.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Carbetocin is approved in 23 countries outside the United States for post-partum hemorrhage, but there are no published studies investigating its CNS effects in humans.
“Carbetocin—produced by Ferring Pharmaceuticals—is approved in 23 countries outside the United States for post-partum hemorrhage, but there are no published studies investigating its CNS effects in humans.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The oxytocin and vasopressin systems are interleaved due to their close evolutionary relationship.
“Due to their close evolutionary relationship, the pharmacological story of the OT system is interleaved with that of its “sister” hormone AVP.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The predictive validity of both forms of preclinical drug research with regard to psychiatric disorders is far from perfect.
“However, at present, the predictive validity of both these forms of preclinical drug research with regard to psychiatric disorders is far from perfect.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Examples abound in which efficacy or deleterious effects noted in clinical trials were not manifested in preclinical studies and vice versa.
“Examples abound in which efficacy or deleterious effects noted in clinical trials were not manifested in preclinical studies and vice versa.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Rodents are not humans.
“rodents are not humans”
The paper relies on this without support.
Changes in functional imaging or laboratory tasks are not the same as changes in clinical symptoms.
“changes in functional imaging or laboratory tasks are not the same as changes in clinical symptoms”
The paper relies on this without support.
Industry has carried out phase II studies on investigational agents with far less data supporting their efficacy and safety than oxytocin.
“As a point of comparison, phase II studies—the kind that are now needed to directly test the various hypotheses regarding OT's therapeutic utility—have been carried out by industry on investigational agents with far less data supporting their efficacy and safety.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Brain-based disease imposes profound impairments.
“the profound impairments imposed by brain-based disease”
The paper relies on this without support.
Extant treatment for brain-based disease often has inadequate efficacy.
“the often-inadequate efficacy of extant treatment”
The paper relies on this without support.
There is a disheartening lack of promising, novel treatments in the pipeline.
“a disheartening lack of promising, novel treatments in the pipeline”
The paper relies on this without support.
Initial investigator-initiated clinical trials often produce negative or weak therapeutic effects.
“These initial trials often produce negative or weak therapeutic effects.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Randomized controlled trials are costly and labor-intensive.
“randomized controlled trials are costly and labor-intensive”
The paper relies on this without support.
Negative results due to type-II errors can be devastating to future studies.
“negative results due to type-II errors (i.e., missing a significant therapeutic effect) for example, by infelicitous selection of dose(s) or dosing frequency can be devastating to future studies”
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The biological validity of peripheral oxytocin measurements with respect to central oxytocin patterns is debated.
“The biological validity of peripheral oxytocin measurements with respect to central oxytocin patterns nonetheless is debated (33–35).”
From Oxytocin reactivity during intergroup conflict in wild chimpanzees (2017) · cites this paper as [34]
The effects of oxytocin and what triggers oxytocin release in a given social context can both vary depending on individual differences such as sex, age, early experience, psychiatric or psychological health.
“In addition, the effects that oxytocin has and what triggers oxytocin release in a given social context can both vary depending on individual differences such as sex, age, early experience, psychiatric or psychological health (effects of oxytocin: Bartz et al., 2011; Macdonald and Feifel, 2013; Olff et al., 2013; release of oxytocin: Sanders et al., 1990; Turner et al., 1999).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Macdonald and Feifel, 2013
Endogenous oxytocin may be an important regulator and a biomarker of subjects' social motivation toward, or perception of, a given social context.
“Indeed, endogenous oxytocin may be an important regulator and a biomarker of subjects' social motivation toward, or perception of, a given social context (Bartz et al., 2011; Macdonald and Feifel, 2013).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Macdonald and Feifel, 2013
Both less invasive approaches (exogenous oxytocin administration and measuring endogenous peripheral oxytocin) have been criticized.
“However, both of these less invasive approaches have been criticized (see Macdonald and Feifel, 2013 for review).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Macdonald and Feifel, 2013
Many studies show ameliorating effects of oxytocin on psychological stress and psychiatric disorders.
“Many studies show ameliorating effects of oxytocin on psychological stress and psychiatric disorders (Striepens et al., 2011; Macdonald and Feifel, 2013).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Macdonald and Feifel, 2013
There is some evidence from anatomical and functional studies showing a correlation between central and peripheral oxytocin release.
“However, there is some evidence from both anatomical and functional studies showing a correlation between central and peripheral oxytocin release.”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Macdonald and Feifel, 2013
It is still debated if or how peripheral measures of oxytocin relate to central measures of oxytocin and therefore whether measurements of peripheral oxytocin levels hold biological validity.
“It is still debated if or how peripheral measures of oxytocin relate to central measures of oxytocin and therefore, whether measurements of peripheral oxytocin levels hold biological validity (see Macdonald and Feifel, 2013 for review of both sides of the debate).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Macdonald and Feifel, 2013
Oxytocin administration can lead to short-term improvements in the social interactions of people with psychiatric or psychological disorders.
“Oxytocin administration can lead to short-term improvements in the social interactions of people with psychiatric or psychological disorders (Macdonald and Feifel, 2013).”
From Endogenous peripheral oxytocin measures can give insight into the dynamics of social relationships: a review (2014) · cites this paper as Macdonald and Feifel, 2013
Evidence for an OXT dose-response relationship is still lacking.
“To date, evidence for an OXT dose–response relationship is still lacking”
From An oxytocin-induced facilitation of neural and emotional responses to social touch correlates inversely with autism traits (2014) · cites this paper as Macdonald and Feifel, 2013
The efficacy of oxytocin administration depends on dosage.
“it has been proposed that the efficacy of oxytocin administration depends on dosage.10, 12, 13”
From Oxytocin efficacy is modulated by dosage and oxytocin receptor genotype in young adults with high-functioning autism: a 24-week randomized clinical trial (2016) · cites this paper as [10]
The limited number of routes to reach the brain, such as blood-brain barrier and extraneuronal/perineuronal routes along the trigeminal or olfactory nerves, likely explains why only a small amount of intranasal oxytocin reaches the brain.
“This is likely because of the limited number of routes to reach the brain, such as blood-brain barrier and extraneuronal/perineuronal routes along the trigeminal or olfactory nerves.10, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53”
From Oxytocin efficacy is modulated by dosage and oxytocin receptor genotype in young adults with high-functioning autism: a 24-week randomized clinical trial (2016) · cites this paper as [10]
Self-check
Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.
Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.
Stated chronic-dose range omits a listed 20 IU dose
MinorThe cited chronic-dosing schizophrenia studies are described as using 24-40 IU twice daily, but Table 1 lists 20 IU twice daily during the first week of a cited Feifel trial.
“The few chronic-dosing studies cited herein have used a dose range of 24–40 IU BID (Feifel et al., 2010, 2012a; Pedersen et al., 2011; Modabbernia et al., 2013).”
“20 IU twice-daily for 1 week, 40 IU twice-daily for 2 weeks”
Non-peptide agonist is given different identifiers
MinorThe text names the agonist WAY-277464, but the cited Ring et al. reference names the studied agonist WAY-267464.
“The only non-peptide OT agonist with experimental evidence for an OT-like behavioral profile is WAY-277464, which had 87% of the binding affinity of OT and significant greater selectivity for the OTR (Ring et al., 2010).”
“Receptor and behavioral pharmacology of WAY-267464, a non-peptide oxytocin receptor agonist.”
Stated high daily dose conflicts with table entry
MinorThe text cites the Epperson studies as reporting doses as high as 160 IU daily, while Table 1 lists a 320 IU intranasal dose for one of those studies.
“though doses as low at 10 IU (Goldman et al., 2011) and as high as 160 IU daily (Epperson et al., 1996a,b) have been reported.”
“160 IU or 320 IU IN (divided four times daily) for 1 week”
Generalized-anxiety trial dosing differs between text and table
MinorThe text says participants received 40 IU twice daily for three weeks, but Table 1 says they received 20 IU twice daily in the first week and 40 IU twice daily only for the next two weeks.
“a randomized, double-blind, within-subjects crossover study of OT (40 IU BID for 3 weeks) in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (Feifel et al., 2011)”
“20 IU twice-daily for 1 w, then 40 IU twice-daily for 2 weeks”
The citation lists haven’t been fetched yet
References 303 · Cited by 181
Research works printed but not linked: 1
- MacDonald K. MacDonald T. Wilson M. P. Feifel D. (2011b). Oxytocin improves social cognition in patients with depression. Biol. Psychiatry 69, 279S– 280S 10.1016/j.schres.2011.07.027 21840177 · DOI · Paper page
- Authors
- MacDonald, K., & Feifel, D.
- Affiliations
- University of California San Diego (US)
- ORCID
- Feifel, D.
- Venue
- Frontiers in Neuroscience
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media SA
- Published
- 2013
- Volume
- 7
- Pages
- 35-35
- ISSN
- 1662-453X (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC3597931
- OpenAlex
- W2026476829
- Semantic Scholar
- 8ae313c458c2b830604f7880bc7f8af1206f24e8
- Cited by
- 181
- References
- 303
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 17
- FWCI
- 37.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Frontiers in Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
- Keywords
- oxytocin, CNS drug development, brain disorders, psychopharmacology, translational research, randomized controlled trials, oxytocinergic system, anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia, drug discovery pipeline
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